USA vs Portugal: Another Heavy Defeat Incoming for World Cup Hosts?
Defensive wrongs to right
After a fine run of results, including wins against Uruguay and Paraguay, there was plenty of optimism surrounding the US Men’s National Team ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the Red Devils of Belgium, and that optimism only increased when midfielder Weston McKennie fired the Stars and Stripes into the lead after 39 minutes.
Unfortunately, a Zeno Debast equalizer moments before half time sucked the life out of hosts, paving the way for a devastating Belgian comeback, with Mauricio Pochettino’s men succumbing to significant second-half pressure from a clearly superior offensive unit.
It was never going to be a huge issue if the joint-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup came up short against the Belgians, but to concede five goals leaves something of a bitter taste in the mouth, while it also raises serious questions about whether the US boys are capable of laying down anything that resembles a serious challenge on the big stage in just a few months time.
USA vs Portugal key details
For the first time in a while, the Stars and Stripes will stay at the same venue, meaning that after Saturday’s embarrassing defeat, the US will once again to go work at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home of Major League Soccer side Atlanta United.
Key details for USA vs Portugal:
Date: Tuesday, March 31st
Kick off time: 19:00 EST
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Where to watch: HBO Max, Peacock
Changes incoming?
After Saturday’s demolition, Mauricio Pochettino will likely be looking to freshen things up, especially in a defensive sense, though as his team failed to really make an offensive impact other than a late consolation goal from substitute Patrick Agyemang, the Argentine boss will probably have final-third changes in mind too.
Having scored from the bench at the weekend, Agyemang is a likely starter in offense, as is Ricardo Pepi, who assisted that second goal against Belgium, doing so having entered the field as a 71st minute substitute.
Further changes could see Gio Reyna play from the outset. Borussia Monchengladbach defender Joe Scally will likely be expecting to start this game, as will the marauding Max Arfsten, who can be deployed in a variety of wide roles.
Neither Brendon Aaronson nor Aidan Morris, both of whom play their domestic football on English shores, were involved on Saturday, but both are likely to feature here, with the former a likely starter.
Portugal to pile on the pressure
Even if Pochettino makes several changes, and even if he gets his men to adopt a more defensive approach, after Saturday’s hammering, the Stars and Stripes are likely to struggle against another offensively capable team, a team that has no shortage of final-third quality.
As mentioned in my primary USA vs Portugal pick, the visitors have done lots of damage in similar away games, so we should be anything but surprised if the men coached by Roberto Martinez hurt their already wounded hosts.
With this in mind, I’ve got my eye on a juicy player prop that favors the visiting offense, one that may just be a little leniently priced looking at the odds from our best sportsbooks.
At odds of +235 (Draftkings), Bruno Fernandes is well worth betting to score. The man who makes Manchester United tick on a weekly basis, will be keen to get going against a team that looked so weak at the back last time out, and let’s face it, this is a player who knows all about taking advantage of defensive weaknesses.
Fernandes scored during his final game for United ahead of this international break, while he certainly looked threatening against a defiant Mexico team at the weekend. This is clearly an easier assignment for the Portuguese sharp shooter, who has scored two goals in his last four club appearances, while he notched a treble for his nation as recently as November.
Factor in that the 31-year-old averaged 0.69 goals per 90 minutes in World Cup qualifying and odds of +235 really do start to appeal.
USA vs Portugal Pick: Bruno Fernandes to Score
